Arsenal FC

COMPLETED November 23, 2025
Summary

{ "Executive Summary": "Arsenal's tactical evolution under Mikel Arteta continues to be a central theme, especially their shift between a 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 and the increased attacking role of Declan Rice. This adaptability is highlighted by their significant use of set-pieces, which accounted for half their goals in the first 11 matches of the 2025/26 season. Ahead of the North London Derby against Tottenham, Arsenal are considered title favorites, a sentiment strengthened by recent losses from rivals Manchester City and Liverpool. However, Arsenal is dealing with key injuries, notably to Gabriel, making this upcoming fixture against a tactically pragmatic Tottenham a critical test for their title credentials.", "Key Developments": [ { "Title": "Arsenal's Tactical Evolution Under Arteta", "Summary": "Mikel Arteta has evolved Arsenal's tactical approach in the 2025/26 season, often switching between a 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1. A key change is Declan Rice's more advanced, box-to-box role, which has increased his passes into the final third. New signing Eberechi Eze has been integrated as a central number 10. Defensively, Arsenal maintains a high line and employs a flexible 4-4-2 press.", "Source": "Arsenal tactics: Mikel Arteta analysis (https://www.coachesvoice.com/cv/arsenal-tactics-mikel-arteta-2025/)" }, { "Title": "Heavy Reliance on Set-Pieces for Goals", "Summary": "Arsenal's offensive strategy has heavily incorporated set-pieces, which accounted for half of their goals in the first 11 league matches of the 2025/26 season. They utilize two specific corner routines, both built around Gabriel's central runs, which have proven highly effective.", "Source": "Arsenal tactics: Mikel Arteta analysis (https://www.coachesvoice.com/cv/arsenal-tactics-mikel-arteta-2025/)" }, { "Title": "Title Race Dynamics Favor Arsenal After Rivals Stumble", "Summary": "Following losses by Manchester City to Newcastle and Liverpool to Nottingham Forest, Arsenal has a significant opportunity to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League. A win in the North London Derby against Tottenham would put them 11 points ahead of defending champions Manchester City.", "Source": "Why Arsenal Must Punish Liverpool and Man City’s Latest Setbacks with NLD win (https://www.justarsenal.com/why-arsenal-must-punish-liverpool-and-man-citys-latest-setbacks-with-nld-win/404508); Newcastle UNITED 2 Manchester CITY 1 | Match REACTION! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceCKqZMkk2w)" }, { "Title": "Upcoming North London Derby Preview", "Summary": "Arsenal is set to face Tottenham in a highly anticipated North London Derby at the Emirates. Both teams are dealing with injuries, with Arsenal missing Gabriel. Tottenham's manager Thomas Frank expects a 'madhouse' atmosphere and acknowledges Arsenal's strength, but believes his team can be competitive. Pundits like Alan Shearer favor Arsenal to win a tight match.", "Source": "Thomas Frank is ready to embrace a ‘madhouse’ north London derby (https://www.justarsenal.com/thomas-frank-is-ready-to-embrace-a-madhouse-north-london-derby/404503); Alan Shearer gives his ‘tight’ prediction for Arsenal vs Tottenham (https://www.spurs-web.com/spurs-news/alan-shearer-shares-tight-predicition-for-arsenal-vs-rtottenham/); Arsenal-Spurs, Milan Derby, Camp Nou & Liga MX/MLS Playoffs | The Give N Go presented by Verizon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qh_hkIwASHI)" }, { "Title": "Arsenal's Defensive Strength and High Line", "Summary": "A key aspect of Arsenal's recent success has been their defensive solidity, conceding only five goals in their first 11 games of the 2025/26 season. This is attributed to a seamless shift between defensive formations and a high defensive line from center-backs Gabriel and William Saliba, allowing for immediate pressure upon losing possession.", "Source": "Arsenal tactics: Mikel Arteta analysis (https://www.coachesvoice.com/cv/arsenal-tactics-mikel-arteta-2025/)" } ], "Facts": [ { "Source": "Arsenal tactics: Mikel Arteta analysis (https://www.coachesvoice.com/cv/arsenal-tactics-mikel-arteta-2025/)", "Statement": "Arsenal conceded just five goals and kept seven clean sheets in their first 11 games of the 2025/26 season.", "Quote": "After 11 games of the [2025/26] campaign, Arteta had Arsenal top, four points clear after 11 games, with a measly five goals conceded and seven clean sheets to their name." }, { "Source": "Arsenal tactics: Mikel Arteta analysis (https://www.coachesvoice.com/cv/arsenal-tactics-mikel-arteta-2025/)", "Statement": "Half of Arsenal's 20 goals in the first 11 Premier League games of the 2025/26 season came from set-pieces, with eight of those from corners.", "Quote": "After 11 Premier League games, half of Arsenal’s 20 goals had come from corners and free-kicks. Eight were scored from corners, coming from a mix of first contact and second-phase balls." }, { "Source": "Arsenal tactics: Mikel Arteta analysis (https://www.coachesvoice.com/cv/arsenal-tactics-mikel-arteta-2025/)", "Statement": "Arsenal ranks second in the Premier League for the most deep completions, which are passes targeting the space within 20 meters of the opponents’ goal.", "Quote": "At time of writing Arsenal ranked second in the Premier League for the most deep completions – namely, passes targeting the space within 20 metres of the opponents’ goal." }, { "Source": "Arsenal tactics: Mikel Arteta analysis (https://www.coachesvoice.com/cv/arsenal-tactics-mikel-arteta-2025/)", "Statement": "In the 2025/26 season, Arsenal's opponents are pressing less intensely, with their PPDA (Passes Per Defensive Action) against figure being 18.05, significantly higher than West Ham (13.93), Chelsea (13.87), and Liverpool (13.67).", "Quote": "At time of writing, Arsenal ranked first for passes per defensive action ([PPDA]) against – a metric that measures opposition pressing intensity, with a higher number (and ranking) generally indicating a lower intensity to opposition pressing. Second, third and fourth in the rankings were West Ham, [Chelsea] and Liverpool, with PPDA against of 13.93, 13.87 and 13.67 respectively. Arsenal’s PPDA against was 18.05, further illustrating just how much teams had been sitting off them." }, { "Source": "Everton vs Man United Preview (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xG6JC8Wiiz8)", "Statement": "Everton will play Manchester United at Old Trafford on a Monday night.", "Quote": "Everton will have a day or two to wait more than most other Premier League teams before they resume action after the last international break of 2025, with a Monday night game at Manchester United beckoning." } ], "Opinions": [ { "Source": "Arsenal tactics: Mikel Arteta analysis (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfyG8Bl4MaU)", "Statement": "Arsenal are considered serious contenders for major silverware this season, attributed to their dedication to defending, set-piece prowess, and ability to break down low blocks.", "Quote": "Whether it be the hunger they have for defending, for attacking set-pieces, or working to break down a low block, it is all indicative of the desire this version of Arteta’s Arsenal has to win the big prizes...there is no doubt they are serious contenders for major silverware once again." }, { "Source": "The Royal Blue Mersey | An Everton FC Community (https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/everton-2025-26-season-premier-league-fixtures-hill-dickinson-moyes/75003/fresh-injury-blow-everton-international-break-merlin-rohl-manchester-united-injury-news-sesko-maguire-mainoo)", "Statement": "Everton manager David Moyes believes his team can achieve a result against Manchester United if they play at their best and exploit potential United weaknesses.", "Quote": "I'm looking forward to it. It's an important period of the season. I've always said, I think we have enough to to to give them a really, really good game. If we play well and we we play to our strengths and if we if we catch a few of them on an off day, you know, we could go and get a result." }, { "Source": "The Athletic Football Tactics Podcast (https://www.theathletic.com/podcast/145-football-tactics-podcast/episode/298/)", "Statement": "Mikel Arteta is successfully utilizing Declan Rice in a more advanced box-to-box role this season, which has been a key tactical evolution for Arsenal.", "Quote": "Within this, Declan Rice has frequently taken up a higher, more attacking position than previously, working more between opposing lines and providing box-to-box support... his passes into the final third (8.05) and the penalty area (2.2) per 90 minutes have increased so far this season." }, { "Source": "The Give N Go | ESPN FC (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qh_hkIwASHI)", "Statement": "Arsenal is considered the 'better team' for the North London Derby against Tottenham, with their squad depth being a key advantage that may be decisive in the title race.", "Quote": "Arsenal's death is going to show out cuz it's a death versus deaf battle here and Tonham just can't match up to that... That's what might be the difference of Arsenal winning the title or not. They've definitely covered themselves with a lot of depth this season." }, { "Source": "Just Arsenal (https://www.justarsenal.com/why-arsenal-must-punish-liverpool-and-man-citys-latest-setbacks-with-nld-win/404508)", "Statement": "Arsenal is in 'pole position' to win the Premier League, and a victory over Tottenham would be a significant statement to their rivals.", "Quote": "If Arsenal beat Spurs today, the significance will stretch far beyond the three points. It will strengthen belief, provide momentum and send a message to every rival that the Gunners mean business." } ], "Disagreements": [ { "topic": "Everton's performance at the start of games this season.", "source_A": "Royal Blue Mersey (Everton vs Man United Preview)", "statement_A": "Everton have tended to start games pretty well, including against top teams like Spurs and Man City, where they created early chances. The author refutes the idea that they often lose games in the first 30 minutes, citing several examples of strong starts.", "source_B": "Royal Blue Mersey (Everton vs Man United Preview)", "statement_B": "A commenter, 'Zold5089', argues the opposite, stating, 'More often than not, we lose a game in the first 30 minutes. Look at the derby. We simply didn't show up in the first half.'" } ] } ```

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